2008

It is the last day of the year once again. I like how time is divided into measurable units because it allows for a pause; a reflection; a marking of progress, or lack thereof. Of course, as I reflect on '08 with regards to the Darfur Project, it is difficult to not go "cliche" with descriptors attempting to capture the events of this year and this project.

If you are a follower, you will know what I mean. If you are newly introduced to the project, you will see the new totals in the sidebar; the enthusiasm in the commentary, and the great media coverage by the Winnipeg Free Press and Citi TV. Bigger than that, I believe, is the impetus for all this, which was a nudging of God and the sequence of events that followed which all work together to make this the most exciting project I could have imagined. Ten thousand, six hundred, and fifty eight dollars have been raised this year to help displaced persons in refugee camps because of the crisis in Darfur, Sudan. I know that it is likely a drop in the bucket, and that there is no solution in sight, but still.... I remember Jesus saying that every time we feed the hungry and clothe the cold, and visit the lonely, we are doing these things to Him. So, we do what we can and we leave the rest to him.

Of course, the dawning of a new year automatically brings with it questions of where things will head. What goals to set; how to designate ones time; what to pour oneself into at a particular season of living.

I find myself asking those questions. Without decisive answers.

What I do know is that the project will continue. January will be slower, for sure. I am craving the time space to get to some other things that a mom with a house has to find time for.
But I don't want to lose you all; I don't want to lose momentum. In time I will know whether to auction one or three bags a week for the month of January. Or whether to auction none until February.

In the meantime, don't go too far. You've all been wonderful, and so generous with your support both financially and morally. There are people who have sent me prayers (that I often go back and read) , others who have sent fabric, buckles, buttons, and more. I don't think there are words that won't sound cliche if I try to express my gratitude and wonder.

So I'll keep it simple- Happy New Year.

Plus my favourite benediction: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance to you and give you his peace. Amen.

Best Photos To Get In My Inbox This Christmas!

Well, folks.
Thus concludes the Darfur Project for the year 2008.
It's been quite a ride.

But a new year is just a few days away!

"Eve"

... as in "Christmas eve".
I've sat through three Christmas pagaents now, and one drama. I've seen a lot of wiggley, twirling little girls in their finery. So, when I went to my local thrifty store on the weekend, and found a bag of velvet remnants, and a strip of taffeta..... Well, what would You do?
My girls are too tall now for remnant inspired Christmas finery, so I used the inspiration and turned it into a taffeta and velvet handbag. I can't exactly sling my daughters over my shoulder anymore, but this bag is pretty darned versatile that way.

Sure, its a little different than some of the pillowcase and tablerunner inspired stuff... But variety is the spice of life. Besides, its Christmas, and that doesn't come around all that often.

The base of the bag is brown velvet; as is the strip along the top. The handles are dreamy to your hands- green velvetty goodness. The taffeta shows different hues depending on the light and the angle. Then there's a gorgeous bit of bling along the top, just to kick it up another notch.

+

All that handbag-y goodness could be yours for a mere $45.00.

Is anybody still out shopping at this hour? I'm not sure. So, I thought I'd extend the bidding on this bag to an unusual time- tomorrow, December 23, at 12:00 noon.

Am I getting annoying yet with changing end times?

Well, maybe next year I'll get everything together.

Leave your bid or comment here.

She Feigns Modesty...

But I am thrilled to have a little shout-out/update on the Darfur project in this weekend's Winnipeg Free Press. Dave Sanderson did a great follow-up piece on some of the stories he wrote in 2008 and where they landed up after the exposure. I'd have to say, that a lot of the money raised for food aid is thanks to the piece that was written in May of this year. It was that exposure that made the project explode, brought in fantastic donations, and increased the amounts of money that got sent into the WFP.


When word first began to come out about the globally rising food prices I began to talk to God about increasing the amount of money to compensate for the difference. I had heard that donations would only be able to purchase 60% of what it would have before the rise in prices. So, I hoped that the bags would begin to sell for 40% more than they had initially.

Ever heard that reference to "filled to the top, running over, packed down, etc"?

40% nothin'.

If the bags initially sold for $25, and this year bags have sold for.... $1,000.00; $500.00; $250.00, $125.00, and then a daily average of $50 to $90.00....

I think there's a lot to be grateful for. I choose to give the credit to a good God who gives people passion, and then pours into the sharing of it.

Now, get out there, and pay it forward.

Thanks, Dave. You're awesome.

Thanks doners.

Thanks buyers.

And thanks lurkers.

Thanks Winnipeg Free Press.

Thanks God.

New Totals!

Another milestone: After this morning's online donation; we reached another ten thousand milestone. According to my account at World Food Programme; donations for the year 2008 have now reached $10, 215.00!!

Our total funds raised are now $11,973.00!
This is making God look good....

Clementine

Although I had no aspirations last night to put a bag together for the blog.... someone very special sent me something wonderful in the mail. And then I just had to, because I was so pleased and honoured, and insired. So, I used some of my favourite pieces to create Clementine. It's a continuation of the Christmas pagaent theme.

Aahh, red velvet body; complimented by all those rich burgandies, greens, and golden browns.

(thank you, Kim Z)

I added a button closure to the flap. The button itself took me great care and contemplation. I used the stash recently acquired through a very thoughtful elderly woman. (thank you Dianne)

It is in the shape of a big, budding flower. I'll bet a fur coat was harmed in the making of this bag; and I'm so grateful!

The strap deserves a category of its own as well. It came from the stash that Lory gave me on my recent trip to her country estate :)

I'm telling you folks. Some bags are just bags to me. Others amuse me. Then there are bags that I pour myself into. This is one such bag.

It's all Shauna's fault, anyway. She sent me those gorgeous organic dark chocolate bars and Hot Dang! We had the rosemary one last night to celebrate Brian turning 42. We were not disappointed. And then with all that glorious dark chocolate swirling around inside me I just had to celebrate by sewing a bag.

And if you're anything like Mel, who happened to snag herself a sweet bag earlier this week....

This special bag could be yours for just $45.00!

So, start your bids here. I'll be waiting, petting that red velvet, until 8 pm, cst.

Pageant

Today's bag is inspired by Christmas pageants full of wiggley children and oggling grandparents. I went to one last night and laughed and cried. For me, the wonder of Christmas is always captured by those children's Christmas productions.

The bag istself is repurposed from a child's skirt. A deep burgandy bottom was added to its hem to create a wonderful little handbag.

A deep velvet ribbon is beautifully embellished with a shiney buckle. The bag fastens on the other side with an equally sparkly button.

I don't hand out those buttons to just anyone, you know.

Hey. If you're going to show up here at 7:00 in the morning expecting breakfast, you may as well model before you eat.
It goes without saying (although everyone WILL say it...) Its the last week before Christmas.

fa la la la la, and blingity bling gletchyen.

Bids here until 8:00 pm, cst.

Soliloquay

I really wasn't going to get a bag up today. But Brian made me.

And I'm glad I did- its the last bag for this week, as any spare minutes that I have between now and Saturday needs to be spent on getting my house and brain space uglified for my upcoming Ugly Sweater Bash.

This bag is the larger variety- generous enough for a binder or two and or a laptop.

Make a pretty darned nice gift for just about anyone, am I not right?

The deadline is changing again today because I like to play with all your minds.Names and numbers until 9:00 pm, cst.